Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 1st shot 2" low next two are dead on and touching

My Dad is working some loads and each time (in a fouled barrel) his first shot is 2" low then the next two are dead on and almost or touching.

It is almost always the first shot that is the flyer.

Is this a seating issue and he needs to progressively seat deeper until they tighten up?

Tell him to shoot a four shot group and put a quarter over the flyer hole when he takes the picture. Problem solved.

I don`t think seating depth will help.
If all screws are tight, guard screws, base mount screws, and scope, I believe you have a bedding issue. Something is binding or touching somethine else it`s not supposed to.
How is the rifle set up?

What type of 5 shot groups is he getting? I believe it is a bedding issue too but can't be sure with that minimal of shots fired. 3 shot groups are sometimes worthless and this is a perfect example.

Told him to check the action screws. 3/4 turn on the front a 1/2 turn on the back and the front sling stud was touching the barrel. Hopefully that should clear it up a bit.

That`s a good first step. Now, do not be surprised if this load dosen`t shoot as well as planed. He may have to go back to the drawing board.
I would also make sure nothing else is touching something it shouldn`t. One area that escapes detection is the bolt cutout in the stock. Check to make sure the bolt clears....you should see a shinny spot in the wood finish if it`s not. Remove it. Also the mag. well. Enough clearence...look again for shinny spots, etc..

If you use a torque wrench you will have a base to search from otherwise the stock maynot support properly. Buckfever1

If this is a hunting rifle wait for the barrel to cool completely and shoot a second shot to see where it lands. I have a Sauer 202 that will place the first shot from a cold clean barrel in the same spot time after time and any additional shots show stringing down and to the right. It's as predictable as the sun coming up in the east. The first shot is the one that counts the most.

Your first shot will almost always hit a little low because your barrel is cold, before I do any sighting in or shooting for groups I always shoot 2 fouling shots.